Deputy Parliament Speaker Mihail Popșoi will take over as Minister of Foreign Affairs. The European integration portfolio will be managed by Cristina Gerasimov, who at the end of last year was named secretary of state of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Dorin Recean at the beginning of the ordinary Cabinet meeting, IPN reports.

Premier Recean noted that Cristina Gerasimov will head the Ministry for European Affairs. She will also coordinate the work of the European Integration Office. No other details about the creation of the two new institutions were provided.

Nicu Popescu tendered his resignation from the posts of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration on Wednesday morning. “In order to avoid any kind of erroneous interpretations regarding the reason for my resignation, I make it clear – I have successfully fulfilled the foreign policy objectives set together with President Maia Sandu at the beginning of my tenure. And at this stage I need a break. I yet assure you that I will continue to contribute to the continuous efforts made by President Maia Sandu and the governing team to bring Moldova into the European Union and to continuously ensure peace, stability and calmness in our country,” Nicu Popescu told a news conference.